Biology / Unit 3 Bio 0587 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Photosynthetic Pigments: Chlorophyll and Carotenoids
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The idea
Chlorophyll absorbs mainly blue and red light and reflects green, giving leaves their color; carotenoids absorb blue light and dissipate excess energy as heat.
In practice
Autumn leaves turn yellow-orange as chlorophyll degrades, revealing the carotenoids that were there all along but masked by green.
Where people slip
Seeing a green leaf tempts students to assume chlorophyll absorbs green light, when it actually reflects that color.
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